Courtney B. Vance To Topline Crime Drama ‘Heist 88’ In Works At FX

The People vs. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story star Courtney B. Vance and director Anthony Hemingway are back at FX, teaming with writer Dwayne Johnson-Cochran for drama Heist 88. Vance is set to star in the project, now in development, which is based on the true story of convicted swindler Armand Moore.

Written by Johnson-Cochran, with former CSI: NY showrunner Pam Veasey executive producing, the 1988-set Heist 88 tells the true story of arch-criminal and master manipulator Armand Moore (Vance) who persuaded four young, African-American employees of First National Bank of Chicago to steal $70 million via a sophisticated take down of the banking wire system.

Johnson-Cochran and Vance executive produce with Hemingway, who also directs, along with Veasey and Mark Taylor of Hemingway Taylor Productions.

Vance won an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series and a Critics’ Choice Award among other honors for his portrayal of Johnnie Cochran in FX’s The People vs. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, which earned 22 Emmy noms, including a directing one for Hemingway, winning nine. He recently co-starred in DreamWorks’ Office Christmas Party, in Universal’s The Mummy; and opposite Oprah Winfrey in HBO Films The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. Vance will next voice Wes Anderson’s Fox Searchlight animated film, Isle of Dogs. He’s repped by Gersh, Lighthouse Entertainment and Fox Rothschild.

Johnson-Cochran wrote and produced on Angel Street, executive produced by John Wells. He made his directing debut in HBO’s Love and Action in Chicago featuring Vance.